Best Drake x Nike Sneaker Collaborations

Nike has never been a stranger when it comes to collaborating with artists. When rap megastar Drake partnered with Nike, it seemed like a match made in heaven for sneakerheads and rap fans alike. A trendsetter himself, Drake has received exclusives from the iconic brand, leading to his own sneakers. The partnership produced hot releases that stayed on everybody’s radar. From exclusive collaborations, to simply letting the rapper have his first pick of unreleased sneakers, Nike and Drake’s relationship is strong.

The collaborations between the two have been some of the most sought-after kicks of the past few seasons. From the exclusive "Stage Use" Air Max to the popular NOCTA x Nike Hot Step Air Terra, the relationship between Drake and Nike continues to create bangers. Here are all the sneaker collaborations between Drake and sneaker giant, Nike.

Already a popular sneaker from the brand, the Nike Air Max Plus only gained more hype when Nike gave Drake his own exclusive pair. Drake initially teased the shows on Instagram alongside OVO x NIke jerseys. Nike created the exclusive "Stage Use" Air Max Plus specifically for Drake, who debuted the shoes during the Aubrey & the Three Migos tour date in Vancouver, British Columbia. Features that make the shoe different from your usual pair of Air Max Plus are the exposed lacing system throughout the silhouette. The blue heel shank also adds a cool hit of color to the exclusive build. Sneakerheads also spotted Drake in a white and crimson red colorway of the sneaker.

Also known as the "Love You Forever," this collaboration between Drake’s NOCTA and Nike came during the winter 2022 season. Breathing life into a classic, the release adds the artist’s twist to the much-loved all-white Air Force 1 base. The shoe is virtually identical to a fresh pair of classic 1’s, except for the engraving on the heel, which reads, “Love You Forever” -- an on-brand statement for the artist. 

Another collaboration under Drake’s NOCTA sublabel, the Hot Step Air Terra puts Drake's aesthetic likings to the forefront. The NOCTA Hot Step Air Terra came in multiple colorways, including “Triple Black”, “Champagne”, and purple. Nike also released a black and gold, as well as an all-white colorway, version of the sneaker. Like the OVO Jordan 11 “Snakeskin," the Hot Step Air Terra also got a snakeskin-inspired rendition as well. Each colorway has a unique NOCTA branding on the tongue. 

When this sneaker dropped during the surprise launch on Nike SNKRS, it almost immediately sold out. Now an extremely rare find, the “Raptors” Air Jordan 4 is a stand-out release from Drake and Nike's collaborative history. However, the shoe sports the same exact purple, black, and red colorway as the original “Raptors” release. The difference between the original and this release is all in the sneaker’s tongue, which includes a purple Jumpman logo, and beneath it, Drake’s signature in red. With the new features matching the iconic colorway even more, this collaboration was a blessing to those who were able to grab them. 

These exclusive kicks represent the Canadian rapper’s favorite NCAA team. Paying homage to the Kentucky Wildcats, this OVO x Nike collaboration was released as a pack. One pair featured a white leather upper accented by the Kentucky Blue and Red Jumpman. The other pair sports a black nubuck suede upper accented by Kentucky Blue. The shoes are also evidence of the strong relationship between Drake and Kentucky Men's Basketball head coach, John Calipari, who received the exclusive pair as a gift. That pair, specifically, included signatures from Calipari and Drake branded on the sneakers. 

Drake's album, Views ended up being an impressive hit, doing big numbers with hit singles like "One Dance." This OVO and Nike collaboration was made as a tribute to Drake’s “One Dance” hitting number one on the Billboard Hot 100 list. A celebration of a proud achievement, this release has the flare of the artist. The shoe sports an all-white upper with a red Jumpman placed on the tongue. A closer look at the sneakers shows “Views” written on the lace lock. The same can be seen on the bottom of the sneaker through the shoe’s translucent outsole.

One of the most exclusive drops of 2019, the OVO “Snakeskin” Air Jordan 11 continues to be a heavily sought-after sneaker. The attention-grabbing collab is one that is extremely rare to see on the street. Drake and Nike originally previewed the shoe in two colorways: pink and grey. The OVO Air Jordan 11 “Snakeskin” now also comes in two colorways of solid gold, all white, and black. Each colorway of the rare sneaker contains an exclusive snakeskin-inspired bottom. The shoe also features “45” embroidered on the heel, referencing Michael Jordan’s 1995 season. The snakeskin motif would be seen in other Drake x Nike collaborations in the future as well.

This collaboration between Drake’s OVO and Nike came in 2015 with the release of the sneaker’s all-white colorway. The shoe’s all-black colorway soon followed in February 2016. The white colorway sports an all-white base with metallic gold gracing the overlays, bottom, and outsole of the sneaker. The stingray skin overlays give even more life and variety to the sneaker’s white colorway as well. Seeing both a limited release and re-release, these kicks are another rare pair to find from Drake’s many collaborations with Nike. 

Another buzz-worthy release from Drake and Nike, the OVO Air Jordan 12 also saw a short amount of time before being sold out on the Nike SNKRS site. The shoe was originally released in two colorways, “Retro White” and “Retro Black." The latter debuted during the 2017 NBA All-Star Weekend. Both colorways contain textured faux stingray skin overlays, gold hardware, and OVO branding on the translucent outsole. Another rare collaboration between OVO and Nike, the sneakers currently still sell for over $1000 on sites like StockX. 

The OVO Air Jordan 8 Retro was another modern spin on a classic. Released in 2018, the sneaker's two colorways were revealed during the Jordan Brand All-Star unveiling in Los Angeles. The first colorway, “Retro White”, features hits of Metallic Gold and Varsity Red on its all-white base, as well as a Varsity Red Jumpman logo on the tongue. The second colorway, “Retro Black” features the same hits of Metallic Gold and Varsity Red Jumpman logo. Other details on the sneaker pack include Drake’s trademark OVO branding and OVO Owl logo branded on the shoes.

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